It's My Birthday!

Today is my 21st birthday. I'm in St. Petersburg, Russia- so turning 21 isn't that big of a deal, but the people I'm with have made it memorable. I know I've said it before but this trip has been such a life changing experience. My friends here are so amazing, and I'm really sad that I won't get to see them very often, if at all, after this trip. Even my Finnish roommates, whom I'm not really close to gave me a candle and a box of Finnish chocolates for my birthday. (For those of you not in Russia, Russia doesn't have good chocolate... so this is a big treat.) I am very excited that in 2 weeks I'll be back in the states, but also very sad to be leaving Russia and my AIFS friends behind. Not much is new.... so here are some pictures of the past week or so. 

Kensie and me during my B-day Party

Kensie and me at Turkey Dinner

Corey's Hair... STRAIGHTENED! Yeah we straightened his hair on Thanksgiving...

This is me in front of my dorm. 

Kensie and Me again... b-day party

view from Nevskie Prospect towards Church Built on Spilled Blood

Travels

Hello Readers!

So since my last post I have been to Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland. Both of which were amazing cities. Expensive, but amazing cities none the less. Bellow is a view from one of the islands in Helsinki. It was an amazing old fortress. We had a blast exploring it. There were tunnels, and passageways, and beautiful views of the Finnish Gulf, rolling hills, cannons, and just beautiful landscaping in general. This island was by far my favorite part of Helsinki.

Tallinn a beautiful city as well. We spent a lot of time in the old part of town. Which was basically a giant castle like place. It was beautiful. It was by far the smallest national capital I've been to, but one of the most amazing. The people where friendly, and everything was prime for tourists. :) Bellow is one of the beautiful views from the city wall. 

To travel to Helsinki we took a 7 hour train ride... yeah not that exciting. Then to get to Estonia we took a 3 hour "fairy" if by fairy you mean giant cruise ship. Both new and interesting ways to travel. 

Life in St. Petersburg has been going relatively well. I believe I am just about done shopping for presents! So that is good. :) We went to a Russian Ballet last week. It was AMAZING! I loved it. It was one of the most beautiful works of art I have ever seen. Incredible.

Thursday is Thanksgiving and they are making us a turkey dinner. So hopefully that turns out well. And Sunday is my 21st birthday... so I'm going out Saturday night with some friends. :) 

I guess in short all is well here. It has been an amazing journey! I can't believe its almost over. This has truly been an amazing experience... and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Once in A Lifetime

Tonight while riding the bus to a classical music concert... reality hit me. I was looking out at some absolutely amazing buildings, churches, monuments, bridges, and just pretty lights in general; when I realized how lucky I am to be here. This is experience is truly once in a lifetime. And while I am really excited to be getting back to the states I am so happy I decided to come here. Deciding to live in St. Petersburg for four months was by far the most spontaneous thing I have ever done-- but it is a decision I don't regret-- and am thankful that I made. I've learned so much about myself here, it has been and will continue to be 

a life changing experience. 

Live as though you will die tomorrow, 

Learn as though you will live forever,

Love as though you have nothing to lose~ 

For if you do you will find happiness.

Another Day

Hello Readers!

So in case you didn't know; it rains here a LOT. And rain can be well tolerable. I'm very thankful for my North Face boots. They are awesome for the weather here. 

Not a lot has gone one in the past few days. Today is a Russian national holiday, so we don't have class today or tomorrow, but never fear we will make up for not having class by having it on Saturday! (some holiday eh?) I have thus far begun my early weekend by sleeping for 11 hours. It was fantastic. :)

Last night Liam and I attempted to go to a movie. We went, asked the lady for tickets to the movie, Liam knows Russian- so I let him talk. And well we ended up with tickets to Saw VII in 3D. Yeah- we watched the previews and about 10 minutes of the movie before we booked it out of there. How messed up is the writer of those screen plays? I mean for real- First scene man crawling around with one leg, blood everywhere. Second scene 3 people about to be sawed in half. I don't know who got sawed- my eyes where closed. :) Then I came back here, and hung out with Kensie, Matt, and Corey for awhile. We even made a McDonald's run. :) I <3 McFlurries! 

As for the rest of the day today~ I have no idea what I'm going to do. Apparently the Russians drink a LOT on holiday~ so it may be a stay indoors kind of day. Ya nis nyu.